Gary Roberts relishing ‘good’ FA Cup draw

Neil Allen

Midfielder has been sidelined since October with an ankle ligament injury

Gary Roberts believes Pompey have been handed a ‘good’ FA Cup draw against former club Ipswich.

And he is convinced the Blues have every chance of inflicting an upset over the Championship side.

It will be a good test to see where we are as well. Ipswich are going to think they can beat us so I believe it will be a good, open game

Gary Roberts

The midfielder spent two seasons at Portman Road before leaving in the summer of 2008 after 59 appearances and four goals.

He has never returned – yet now Paul Cook’s side have been drawn to face the Tractor Boys in next month’s third-round fixture.

Some supporters are disappointed Pompey failed to be matched with a Premier League side, but Roberts is happy with the opposition.

He said: ‘The lads are saying they wanted a big one and if you don’t get that you want a small one where you have a very good chance of winning.

‘But I am happy just to go back there and think we can beat them, it’s a good draw for the club to be honest.

‘It’s a decent draw, even if it’s not a Chelsea. When you are watching the draw you want Liverpool and when it settles down it’s actually a good draw for the club.

‘We would rather go to Portman Road than Rodney Parade!

‘It will be a good test to see where we are as well. Ipswich are going to think they can beat us so I believe it will be a good, open game.

‘I don’t think their form is great at home and we have a chance of going there and winning the game.

‘As we saw against Derby and Reading, you know it will be an open game against a Championship side because they are going to come and have a go at you. Most teams this season don’t do that here, they set up to frustrate.

‘I love the FA Cup as well, hopefully I will be involved in it. I haven’t been back since leaving and am looking forward to it.’